Orlando Salido Expects Fireworks, High Drama With Miguel Roman

By Steve Kim

If figures to be a slugfest as Orlando Salido faces Mikey Roman from the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas on December 9th as the main event of an HBO televised card. The official announcement was made on Wednesday afternoon from the Palm Restaurant in Los Angeles.

Salido has had a long and storied career(44-13-4/31 KO's) and is just a few weeks shy of turning 37 years old. Logic dictates that he's at the very end of his run as a professional prizefighter.

"I feel real good with the help of Memo Heredia and with my trainer helping me with my boxing," said Salido, through publicist, Ricardo Jimenez. Salido has enlisted the help of the controversial strength-and-conditioning coach. "I feel great. We still have to get through the fight, once we do that then we'll know where I'm at."

Salido was originally slated to face WBC 130-pound titlist, Miguel Berchelt on this date but the defending champion pulled out claiming an injury to his right hand. Should Salido come out victorious, he would like to re-visit this possibility.

"The fight was there, unfortunately he hurt his hand. If I win this fight and everything goes OK, I'll get that fight next,'' said Salido, who understands that he has a tough bout in front of him.

"The way (Roman) fights, he goes forward, the way I fight, I go forward. I think it's going to be a very entertaining fight for the fans."

For his part, Roman is also expecting a showdown filled with fireworks.

"I know this is a tough fight and I am going against a tough fighter, but I know what I am capable of and I believe that I will beat Salido. This is not an easy fight for either one of us and the biggest winners will be the fans. This is a great opportunity for me and will take full advantage of it," Roman said.